Building a Support System: Tips for Accelerated Nursing Students

Whether you’re a recent college graduate or an invested parent, our 16-month Accelerated BSN program can fast-track you into the profession. And no matter what stage of life you’re in, you’ll need a strong support system to help see you through the ups and downs of nursing school. Check out these support network tips for accelerated nursing students.

As an accelerated nursing student, you’ll have a lot on your plate, spending up to 60 hours a week on your education. You’ll face a rigorous blend of online coursework, hands-on nursing labs, and in-person clinical rotations. So, unless you have special superpowers, it’s best that you not tackle all of this alone.

Giving and receiving support is a basic human need. We need people in our lives who listen to us, understand us, and are there for us in good times and bad. In fact, studies have shown that when people have a support system they can depend on, they experience higher levels of well-being and have better skills for coping with stress.

Support comes in many forms. It can be emotional, physical, or financial. Therefore, it’s important for you to have a variety of resources in place during nursing school. For example, your dream team of nursing school supporters might include family, friends, classmates, professors, and maybe even a financial aid advisor.

Support Member Roles

Here are the different types of personal support team members you stand to benefit from while attending our 16-month ABSN program in Cincinnati or Columbus, Ohio.

FAMILY

Prepare your family for all of the changes that will take place when you start nursing school. Daily routines will change, household responsibilities will change, and sacrifices will be made.

Sit down with your significant other, kids, parents, and the like to explain what support you need from them to be successful in school. Perhaps your significant other will need to start picking the kids up from school. Maybe your mom and dad will need to step in at times to help with cooking and cleaning.

It can be tough for a family to adjust to a new routine, so be patient. Just keep reminding yourself and your family that it’s only 16 months. And when you do have some extra time, be sure to spend it with them, reminding them how much you love and appreciate them.

FRIENDS

Being a successful nursing student requires a lot of time and energy. So before embarking on the accelerated path to nursing, be sure to tell your friends what you’re up against.

Explain to them that while you won’t see them as much, you still very much need them in your life. It might help to plan a celebratory outing with them after you graduate — giving everyone something to look forward to. If they’re good friends, they’ll understand and be there for you when you need them.

However, when you have time to step away from your studies and meet up with them, it’s best not to talk shop. Focusing your thoughts on something other than school can do wonders for your mind. Plus, your friends might not be eager to hear about the various bodily fluids you encounter.

Another valuable piece of advice is to limit the time you spend with a Negative Nelly. Negative people can rob you of the energy you need to stay focused on your studies. Your time is better spent with those who make you feel good about yourself.

CLASSMATES

As an ABSN student, your cohort will comprise individuals of different ages and backgrounds. Some students might be recent college graduates, while others might be making a career change.

Though many incoming ABSN students have a background in biology, health sciences, or psychology, there’s also a lot of academic diversity within our cohorts. We’ve had students who previously studied anthropology, elementary education, finance, public policy, etc.

But regardless of what our ABSN students previously studied, they all come to us sharing the same goal, which is to work hard and graduate from nursing school in 16 months. You’ll find a real team spirit in this type of learning environment.

Forming friendships with other students in your cohort will help you stay engaged with the coursework and motivate you to succeed. Furthermore, if you’re ever struggling with a nursing concept, your classmates can share their insights and help you with your study strategies.

And last but not least, these are the friends you’ll want to discuss the “yuck factors” of nursing with, not your best friend from high school.

PROFESSORS

It’s a good idea to connect with your professors on a regular basis to make sure you understand their expectations in terms of the ABSN curriculum. By doing so, you’ll get to know them better, making it more comfortable for you to ask them for help when you need it. Not to mention, when a professor gets to know you, he or she is more apt to connect you to jobs and serve as a reference after you graduate.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS COACH

As a Xavier ABSN student, you have access to an academic success coach. It’s the job of this individual to make sure you receive the best learning experience possible. Essentially, he or she is your bridge between admissions and academics, advocating for whatever you need to succeed, from billing questions to test-taking strategies.

FINANCIAL AID ADVISOR

As an accelerated nursing student, you are not eligible to receive federal, state, or university grants. But you could very well qualify for a federal loan, private loan, or a third-party scholarship. This is what makes a financial aid advisor a vital member of your personal support team. He or she can help you identify the best options for financing your education, as well as assist you with anything associated with applying for and receiving financial aid.

Want More Tips for Accelerated Nursing Students?

If you are thinking about applying to our ABSN program in Ohio, be sure to contact our admission team to see if the accelerated path to nursing is right for you.